This trip encompasses an adventurous trek to the Everest Advance Base Camp, coupled with an exploratory journey across the Tibetan highlands.

This tour has been designed for the traveler with the wanderlust, someone who is forever in the lookout for fresh challenges and high adventure. Tibet, with an average altitude in excess of 3500 meters, is the highest plateau in the world. Lying to the north of the great Himalayan range, Tibet is more or less an untamed land of nomads (drokpas), monasteries and high altitude desert that seem to stretch endlessly.

In Lhasa you get ample time to acclimatize and to absorb the exoticism of Tibetan cultural heritage. As you are guided around the most significant and ancient monasteries of Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, an expert Tibetan guide will instruct you on the intricacies and mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. Driving down the Friendship highway, you pass through small Tibetan settlements, where you see nomadic herdsmen wandering across the wide arid plains, amidst a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountain peaks.

The special highlight of this trip is the trek to the Everest Advance Base Camp. Your trek begins from Rongbuk. En route you traverse past the Rongbuk Glacier and ascend a succession of hills and ridges. As you climb up amidst spectacular mountain views, you get to test your endurance and stamina. Once you reach Camp III at 6400 meters, you know you have accomplished a major feat. Savor your special moment in the shadow of the world’s highest peak, Everest (Chomolungma for the Tibetans), while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

As you are driven from Zhangmu and across the Friendship Bridge, there’s a refreshing change in scenery. The green and verdant hills of Nepal greet your sight. Your trip comes to an end once you arrive in Kathmandu.

Over the past several years we have all become painfully aware that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels likely play a significant role in worldwide climate change. CO2 is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. It is a product of burning fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas. But what most people aren’t aware of is the breakdown of sources of CO2.

Greenhouse Gases
CO2 plays in important role in retaining energy in the earth’s atmosphere by forming a blanket around the earth. This is important because without it, we would be very cold. But with too much, we could be too hot. As the sun beats down on us daily, energy is absorbed in the atmosphere. At night, that energy is dissipated back out to space. This happens across day/night cycles and also across the year as we get closer and farther from the sun. Over the course of a year, we would like the energy retained to be equal to the energy dissipated. Any difference will begin to accumulate such that the temperature on earth will increase if we retain more energy or decrease if we dissipate more annually.

Equilibrium
During the course of modern human history CO2 levels have been holding steady around 270 parts per million. Prior to recent history, CO2 fluctuated as low as 200PPM during severe ice ages and as high as 300PPM during very warm times. But again, these occurred long before people settled into cities as we know them. But we can cull this data from ice core samples as a peak into long forgotten climate history.
Equilibrium set off balance

Our historical human-time temperatures have been relatively stable because until about 100 years ago, there was little change in CO2 levels for a few thousand years. But then, as we started burning coal, then oil and then natural gas, we began to add more CO2 to the atmosphere. While there is a complex set of give and takes between carbon sinks (ocean, trees) and carbon sources (people, animals, fires, fossil fuels), we began to release more than we had in human history and set an increase in motion. For the past 100 years that increase has been evident and accelerating at an ever faster rate as we burn more fossil fuels.

Higher than ever
Today atmospheric CO2 stands at 385PPM, over 100PPM higher than human history norms. Remember, the range over the last million years ranged from 200PPM (ice age) to 300PPM (ocean 75 feet higher than today). And today we are at 385PPM. So why haven’t temperatures risen dramatically? Because there is a delay in temperature systems. We see this annually as the longest day (with the most sun) in the northern hemisphere is June 21st. But the hottest days occur about 45 days later. This lag in response is due partly to the earth’s mass absorption response. And we are seeing the same effect in global warming. That is, a lag in earth response, but that lag is now coming of age. So expect more temperature increases in much of the world (and some decreases as winds, rains, and currents shift).

Energy Related CO2
While modern society considers the passenger car as the big emitter of CO2, it turns out that is actually not the full story. In fact, it isn’t the story at all, as we will see. Also, we think of electric plants as a problem. True, but they generate electricity for use by industry and buildings. So lets look at the uses of the energy to get a real picture of how humans generate this clear gas.

Our Buildings Are the Source
If we break down worldwide CO2 uses into common categories we get:
Industry
Buildings
Transportation
But we can further breakdown transportation into passenger cars and others (planes, boats, trains etc.). And we can also break out building materials from industry, as it is one of the largest industry CO2 categories including cements, drywall, glass, metals and others, and we can tie that to the built environment. And now here is what we get for worldwide emissions as a percent of total (ready to be surprised?):

Yes. The biggie? Our buildings. The smallest? Cars.
Now, this is worldwide. In the US, the numbers move around a bit, but buildings are always the largest emitter, in virtually every country and worldwide. By over 5X worldwide. Surprised?

We Can Fix It
In order to address the built environment, we need to address the materials (such as new cement, drywall, metal processes) as well as building operations (primarily heating and cooling). Currently, almost every building material process was designed 100 to 150 years ago, when energy was nearly free and CO2 had no significance. Today, both are issues. And while homeowners cannot develop new processes to replace the old ones, new industry is doing just that. Companies like CalStar and Serious Materials among many are re-inventing the old processes, reducing embodied energy by 75% or more.

But we all can address operations, at least at home. Easiest targets are sealing ductwork, installing programmable thermostats, insulating homes that aren’t, and choosing high R value windows (at least R6 and preferable higher). Up to 50% of heat loss occurs through windows which are closed. Upgrading to dual pane low E windows is a start, but only gets to an R3, hardly much improvement. But new technology is becoming available (such as ThermaProof Windows) which can provide R values above R 10. A 300% improvement, and a significant savings in heating and cooling bills.

Just The Beginning
Education and awareness are key. Yes, we must address everything, including our cars. But cars are not the answer, just a start. We all need to improve our homes and offices. Look around, seal those ducts, and upgrade those windows. Today.

About the Author:

Kevin Surace is CEO of Serious Materials. More information on sustainable building products can be found at www.SeriousMaterials.com

Its not very difficult to build a Home climbing wall, but proper planning and materials are needed to ensure that you get it right on one go and do not have to remove or replace ply or bolts to get it right.

The first step is to locate the ideal place where you want to mount your wall. You could fabricate it indoors and bolt it to an existing wall and part of your ceiling or you could mount it outside. Make a rough sketch and make a list of all the materials needed for your construction. Get the correct tools such as power drills and the right drilling bits. You will also need brackets, nails, self-tapping screws, long nut/bolts and T-nuts and of course your foot holds. All of these should be galvanized.

Your plywood should be 1/4″ or 5/8″ in thickness and if you are planning to install your wall outside your home then marine ply is better since it can handle rain without getting damaged. Take out an estimate first of your costs so that you can decide which type of material and design is affordable on your pocket. You could make your wall at a permanent angle at the top or you could even make an adjustable angled wall. The adjustment could be made by various slots on your horizontal beam which when sliding it along a fixed vertical beam. However, this arrangement has to be very sturdy or you could have the wall collapsing on you during full load.

Your climbing wall should also be well anchored to the floor or ceiling or both so that it does not collapse on one side due to extra weight. Use large oversize O.D. washers so that the nut/bolts do not tear into the wood when you tighten it fully or when there is a load on the wood. When you start construction you will have to construct the frame first. This should be of thick square ply. Then you will have to skin your frame with your plywood sheets. Using long self-threading screws, you can attach these sheets to your frame. Once you have skinned the frame, then you will have to paint the surface. Sand the entire structure first and apply a coat of primer to it. This will ensure that your paint sticks properly to the wood and does not form bubbles.

The next step is to attach your holds. These come in various sizes, shapes and colors and their prices also vary. If your wall size is big then you could divide it into various sections and arrange the holds in such a way as to make it easy, medium and difficult. For a small wall you could still make it interesting by attaching the holds in an abstract pattern. You can also change the position of your holds by drilling extra holes and fixing a T nut from behind, so that all you have to do is just remove the bolt from the hold and shift it. You will also need a thick mattress, which can be placed at the foot of the wall to prevent broken bones if you lose your grip.

So, building a home climbing wall is not very difficult, but the key word is safety and sturdiness. So, go ahead with these tips and build one for yourself.

While outdoor rock climbing is an excellent sport, it is also fraught with risks. You could lose a foothold or you could get caught up in a blizzard or a snowstorm and get frostbitten. Rock climbing also requires proper time and planning. The time spent on planning and reaching your mountain could be more than the time you actually spend on rock climbing. Enter indoor wall rock climbing.

This type of rock climbing where you can climb a wall fitted with footholds and even finger holds can be installed inside your house or even in your backyard. This arrangement offers you almost the same joys of rock climbing without the associated risks. Since you can indulge in rock climbing on a regular basis, you could plan your schedule so that you can train regularly on it. In the long run rock climbing can help you increase your strength in your arms, legs and even fingers and regular training can also build up your stamina.

Once you have built a rock-climbing wall or if you have installed one professionally, then you and your family can slowly start practicing climbing it. You can start with the easy sections first, and if you have a wall with an overhang, then that section should be attempted last, since it places a lot of stress on your hands and fingers. The holds on the wall should also be interchangeable and movable. This will enable you to keep changing their positions to keep your climb interesting and you could also increase your level of difficulty in future by fixing fewer holds.

By adhering to a routine, you can take in all the advantages which rock climbing walls can offer. If it is kept indoors, you can even practice when it is raining or snowing. For city dwellers, a rock-climbing wall is a very practical investment in keeping fit, as it is not possible for them to go outside the city regularly to do rock climbing. You can attach a harness with an auto-belay to help you train alone if your rock-climbing wall has an overhang or if the difficulty level is high. For a simple wall, this might not be required, but a thick soft mat should be spread at the foot of the wall to prevent any injuries in case you slip and fall.

In case it is not possible to install a climbing wall in or out of your house, then you could join a gym, which has one. This makes for an interesting change in workout, when you go to the gym and they would also have trained instructors to correct you in case you make any mistakes. You can increase your stamina by climbing as per different difficulty levels and also different time levels. So slowly and steadily, as you increase your difficulty level and shorten the time required to do it, you will notice your fitness levels rising. For young children too, wall climbing is a very important training aid as it teaches them to think, plan and then execute their moves.

So, any way you look at it you will still have to look up to wall climbing since the benefits associated with it will stay with you in the long run and therefore rock-climbing walls is truly a very important training aid in the quest for a long and fit life.

Built around two picturesque mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb – Whistler is a year-round resort, located about 150 kilometers north of Vancouver through the Highway 99 and about 350 kilometers from Seattle, Washington. Boasting of the longest skiing season in Canada and two majestic ski mountains offering over 200 diverse runs as well as more than 7000 acres of skiable terrain, Whistler has been consistently rated the number one skiing resort in North America.

No matter you are a novice, an intermediate, or an experienced hand, Whistler is a great destination for ultimate skiing experience. A good number of skiing parks and skiing learning centers are also in the region in order to make your skiing vacation in Whistler truly memorable as well as enjoyable.

However, Whistler’s fame is not just confined to skiing and other winter activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cat skiing, heli skiing and snowboarding, bald eagle viewing, bungee jumping, and zip trekking. But, beyond that, and offers people touring Whistler during summer to engage in a number of activities including golf, with an array of standard golf courses designed by world-renowned architects, river rafting, swimming, sun bathing, fishing, eco tours, shopping, and more.

Other than engaging in a plethora of activities, Whistler provides visitors with a large spectrum of mind blowing attractions. One can experience the beauty and tranquility of the destination even when they start their journey to Whistler via the Sea to Sky Highway, also known as the Hwy 99 from Horseshoe Bay, which in turn has been rated among the top ten picturesque highways in North America.

While your journey to Whistler, you could come along a number of incredible attractions, such as, Lion Bay, which is the largest community amid Horseshoe Bay and Squamish; Porteau Cove Provincial Park; Furry Creek, with a stunning 18-hole golf course; Brittania Beach, featuring the BC Museum of Mining; Shannon Falls, one of the world’s highest waterfalls; Murren Provincial Park, which provides great opportunities for activities such as climbing and picnicking; Squamish, which is home to the West Coast Railway Heritage Park; and Brackendale, boasting of the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world.

Perhaps the most popular among the attractions is the Whistler Mountain Gondola, rising up to a height of 1800 meters. At its atop, you could enjoy fine dining. Also, it consists of certain excellent trails that are suitable for hiking.

Another great attraction in Whistler is Garibaldi Provincial Park, which is much favored among the outdoor buffs. With its superb hiking trails, lush alpine meadows, and rare flora and fauna, the park allows visitors to indulge in a myriad of activities.

Further, the park is also much famed for its geological background, since it was formed as a result of volcanic action. Many of the peaks found within the park are the result of volcanic action, such as, the Black Tusk, the Table, the Price Mountain, and much more. Also, a not to miss attraction in the destination is Meadow Park Sports Center, which has choices to enjoy almost all activities from yoga and body building to ice skating and swimming, with such facilities as swimming pool, sauna, basketball net, and ape-swing.

A visit to Whistler would not be complete without taking a tour to its remarkable museums and galleries. Few among them are the Whistler Museum, featuring exhibits that throw light on the history of the Whistler as well as Pemberton valleys; Expressions Art Studio, which has on display artifacts including ceramics painting created by local artists; Black Tusk Gallery, displaying northwest Coast native art developed by leading artists; and the Whistler Village Art Gallery.

Attractions in Whistler also include Adventure Zone, which is a much popular place among kids and grown-ups, Parkhurst and Whistler Farmers’ Market. Aside these attractions, Whistler also has a plethora of historic buildings that stand as a great symbol of the destination’s rich heritage. Equally worth mentioning is the nightlife of the destination.

Above all, Whistler, with its fresh mountainous air, soothing surroundings, and magnificent views, has long been considered a great destination for health and wellness getaways, and hence has a continuum of yoga health studios, spa centers, professional fitness training centers, nutrition outlets, and aromatherapy clinics.

It is therefore not a wonder why people from across the world come here for a relaxing vacation. Hence, Whistler has accommodation choices to cater to all levels of tourists. For instance, if you have come here for an enjoyable skiing, then the destination has a range of ski in ski out vacation rentals of all budgets. A good number of upscale hotels and resorts are also now in the scenario to provide you superb accommodation.